By Andy Byles: Want to see the most highly anticipated fight in decades? Me too. The reason as to why this fight won’t take place is also the reason as to why it very may well happen. Confused? Then please read on!

Let’s get started by eliminating the most obvious reason as to why it won’t happen…at least for awhile anyways…Floyd’s legal issues. As we all have already heard, Floyd “Money” Mayweather is having a few legal problems. The most serious being a domestic assault with his baby mama which could land him a few years in jail. His uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather has had his fair share of legal troubles too. All of these “setbacks” could keep Floyd out of the ring for awhile…and possibly forever. The world will just have to wait on that one.

But the main reason why this fight has yet to happen can be summed up with one word. Ego. If there is one thing in this world that Floyd cares more about than money, it’s being undefeated. Being the, self proclaimed, pound-for-pound best fighter in the world is a good ego booster and ticket seller. Don’t get me wrong. 41-0-0 with 25 ko’s is impressive. And I am not doubting Floyd’s accomplishments as a boxer or his skills in the ring. But he is not the best, let alone pound-for-pound king. I believe in the saying “to be the best you’ve got to beat the best.” When was the last time Floyd ever fought the best? Oscar De La Hoya? Shane Mosley? Ricky Hatton? Those mentioned are all good fighters, but were past their prime when they met Floyd. It seems Mayweather has made a habit of fighting guys past their prime and ducking other fighters…such as Manny Pacquiao.

Ducking Pacquiao? The hell you say!

Yes, I said it. He is ducking him. Running like a yellow bellied coward all the while talking like it’s everyone else’s fault why the fight hasn’t happened. Floyd’s only reason why (at least from what I’ve heard) the fight hasn’t taken place was he believes Pacquiao uses performance enhancing drugs and wanted special blood tests done before the fight.

Umm…Hello?! Since when does Floyd make the rules? Why should a boxer, who is on top of the world, agree to someone else’s demands that go outside the rules? If I were Manny, I wouldn’t agree to it. If for nothing else, for the principle of the matter. I would just abide by whatever rules the sanctioning athletic commission uses. If the other fighter doesn’t like the rules, well then he shouldn’t be fighting. Mayweather’s job is to follow the rules, not make them. Floyd is not God and I wouldn’t treat him as such.

Let’s forget the blood testing for a minute. Besides “Pretty boy,” Mayweather’s moniker has always been “Money.” From watching his interviews on t.v. to his Wrestlemania gig that paid him $20 million, it looks as though he really does only care about money…making as much as he can and spending it wildly and having a good time. Can you blame him? I can’t. Sounds like a good life to me. But one question just always seems to linger in my mind. If Floyd really is “Money” and that’s what he craves, than why not take the Pacquiao fight? After all, that would be his biggest money making fight ever. Possibly the biggest boxing fight in history. The only reason I can think of brings me back to that pesky word again…ego. Floyd just doesn’t want to lose. Plain and simple. If Floyd really believes he can win, then why not fight? It makes no sense for there to be any other reason keeping these two champions apart. Floyd likes the idea more of being undefeated than he does making millions. I can understand…to a certain extent. There are always others to fight with which he can make a lot of money. Look at Sugar Shane Mosley. It just isn’t Pacquiao money.

But don’t fret. This ego thing may also help us, the boxing fans, out in the end. Floyd does have an ego. A big one. And it is taking a hit. Everyday people are publicly coming out questioning him why he isn’t fighting. Max Kellerman for instance (Bravo sir!). In the beginning it seemed as though Floyd fans were on his (Mayweather’s) side. Blaming Pacquiao and Top Rank for not making the fight. But as the months go on, it looks as though the number of his supporters are dwindling. It may not seem that bad at the moment because of the legal problems that Floyd has gotten himself into, but you can be rest assured that when the dust has cleared, that the pressure will once again be on “Money.” How much can Floyd’s ego take? With more and more people questioning his heart and courage, we may not have to wait too much longer before the “Pretty boy” gives in and can’t take it anymore. Does he really want to end his career being known as a chicken? A coward? Mr. excuses? I’m not too sure.

In closing, I would like to offer some advice to Floyd Mayweather. You don’t have to be undefeated to be the best fighter in the sport or best pound-for-pound boxer. Look at Manny Pacquiao. According to many, he is the best now, and maybe ever. He isn’t undefeated. What about Muhammad Ali? Many consider him the best ever. He wasn’t undefeated.

Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard…all outstanding boxers of their time. All with losses on their record. What made them great, besides their skill, was the fact that they never backed down from a fight. They fought the best of their time. They gave 100% in the ring. They gave no excuses. They checked their “ego’s” at the door.